If asked to name the most romantic flower in the world, most of us would probably say the rose. But that wasn’t always the case. Until they were usurped by roses in the early 20th century, violets were the emblematic flower of Valentine’s Day, partly owing to their association with Saint Valentine himself, who supposedly wrote his final note in purple ink made from crushed violets before being executed. Napoleon prized them as a symbol of devotion to his beloved Joséphine, and the love potion in A Midsummer Night’s Dream was made from them.

— Read more in Could This Be the Ultimate Valentine’s Day Fragrance? at The Cut.